The painting entitled “Girl at Mirror,” created by Norman Rockwell in 1954, features a girl in a white dress and brown hair contemplating her reflection. The artwork is inspired by a tradition of portraying women looking at themselves in the mirror and was influenced by a painting by Edouard Manet. Rockwell was known for creating over 300 covers for the Post without repeating himself in 47 years.
Through the use of symbolism, the painting represents the girl’s transition from childhood to adulthood. The artwork portrays her with both a childhood toy and a grown-up interest, highlighting this awkward stage of development. Additionally, the girl’s gaze towards a magazine featuring a movie-star suggests her growing awareness of femininity and desire to emulate the glamorous image.
Interestingly, the painting also features Ruby Bridges, a six-year-old African-American girl during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis. By including Bridges in the artwork, Rockwell captures the difficult social and political issues of the time while also emphasizing the universal themes of self-discovery and growth. Overall, “Girl at Mirror” is a beautiful and meaningful artwork that speaks to the complexities of human experience.
